Combination-lock.



No. 817,388. PATENTED APEL-10, 1906. E. E. QUAINTANGE. COMBINATION LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17, 1905A 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

@f j j 12M -W PATENTED APR. 10, 1906. E. E. QUAINTANGE.

COMBINATION LUCK. APPLIcATIoN FILED 5,411.17, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Iatentecl April 10, 1906.

Application filed January 17, 1905. Serial No. 241,450.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELswon'ri-r E. QUAIN- TANGE, a citizen oi the United States, residing at Como, in the county of Park and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination-Locks 5 and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures oi reference marked thereon, which form a part oi this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in combination-locks.

The general construction of my present invention is similar to that set forth in my previous patent, No. 785,834, dated March 28, 1905. The form of construction, however, is varied to adapt the combination or permutation lock mechanism ior use as a door-lock. In this case the ball extremities of the hollow spindle are mounted on posts or pedestals, which are secured to the door by means of screws accessible only from the inside, while the lock mechanism is on the opposite side. This makes it impossible to detach the mechanism 'from the outside. The cylindrical structure located between the two enlarged extremities ol' the hollow spindle and composed olA the rotary tumblers forms a handpiece adapted to be grasped for the purpose of swinging` the door back and forth. In my improved construction a rotary spindle is journaled in a solid ball or enlarged extremity oi the lock, the said spindle also passing through the pedestal upon which the ball is mounted, its inner extremityy being shaped to engage and operate the door bolt or latch in any suitable or ordinary manner. The specilic construction whereby the inner eXtremity oi' this spindle is connected with the bolt or latchis not illustrated, since it is very common and nothing is claimed thereon in this application.

Another novel Vfeature of construction con sists in .the arrangement of the clicksprings7 mounted on one member of the hollow spindle, whereby these springs point in opposite directions, making it necessary to turn the adjacent tumblers in opposite directions for the purpose o i unlocking the door. Each tumbler is also provided with two circumferential grooves, one on each .side,

. parts A and A2.

whereby the tumblers are reversible. rlhe click-springs project into these grooves and engage the recesses leading outwardly from the grooves.

Another feature is that the body or inner portion of each tumbler is connected with the outer shell of the tumbler by means of an indentation in the shell adapted to enter any one of a series of grooves in the body ol` the tumbler. By removing the body portion of the tumbler from the shell and inserting it in a different relative position the combination oi' the lock mechanism may be changed.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, as well as the function it is intended to perform, I will proceed to describe the same in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure l is an edge view of a door to which my improved lock is attached, the latter being shown in side elevation. Fig. 2 is a similar view showin@ the lock in section. Fig. 3 is a longitudina section taken through the lock mechanism, showing` the locking-bar in the unlocked position. Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the locking-bar in the locked position. Fig. 5 is an enlarged exteriorl view of one oi the tumblers. Fig. 6 is an end elevation o'l the same. Fig. 7 is a cross-section taken on the line 7 7, Fig. 3, the partsbeing shown on a larger scale and the pedestal or post partly broken away to disclose the bolt or manipulating-spindle. Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8 S, Fig. 3, the parts being shown on a larger scale. Fig. 9 is a section taken through one of' the enlarged extremities of the hollow spindle shown in connection with its post or pedestal. Figs. 10 and 11. are detail views of the respectivo members of the hollow spindle. Fig. 12 `is a detail view of the locking-bar.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let A designate a spindle composed of two Each of these spindle parts is longitudinally recessed, as shown at A3 and A4. These longitudinal recesses register, making a hollow spindle in which is located a locking-bar B. The two spindle parts are respectively connected with knob extremities A5 and A, which when the parts are assembled 'form a ball-extremity, as indicated in the drawings. The ball-extremity p art A5 is provided with a post or pedestal 7, having a base-plate S secured to the door by means of screws 9 inserted from the inside or the opposite side ofthe door to which the lock is applied. This ball extremity of the hollow spindle is rovided with an oiiset or shoulder A7. To tiie extremity of the spindle remote from the parts A5 and A'3 a ball A8 is applied, the said ball, as shown in the drawings, consisting of an integral piece of material recessed to receive the spindle and when in place holds the two spindle parts in operative position. Also formed integral with this ball extremity A8 is a post orpedestal l0, having a base-plate l2 applied to the door and also held in place by screws 9, inserted from the inside. The ball or knob A8 is provided with a shoulder or offset A9, surrounding the spindle. Between the offsets or shoulders A7 and A9 is located a number of tumblers C, which are mounted to rotate on the hollow spindle. Each tumbler is provided with a number of recesses C of slightlydiierent shape arranged in a circular zone. One recess of each tumbler is adapted to receive a pin B of the locking-plate B when the tumbler is rotated to bring the proper recess C into position to allow the pin to enter. Attention is called to the fact that only one recess C of each tumbler, is shaped to receive the pin B, located in the same cross-sectional plane. The recesses C do not pass entirely through the tumbler, but terminate at the outer shell of the latter, upon which are formed letters or other suitable characters.

(See Figs. l and 5.) The tumblers may be so arranged on the spindle that when any particular combination of letters on the outer shell of the tumbler is brought together the lock may be opened. To open the lock, it is necessary that the lockingbar B shall be free to move out of a recess D, formed in the bolt-manipulating spindle D, in order to allow the last-named spindle to turn suiiiciently to throw or actuate the locking-bolt 5 of the door 6. This spindle D has a milled head protruding from the ball extremity A8, the spindle being j ournaled in this ball extremity and also in its pedestal 10, its inner extremity being polygonal in cross-section, preferably square, for bolt-manipulating purposes. This squared extremity of the spindle D is connected with suitable mechanism (not shown but of ordinary construction) for operating the bolt as the spindle D is given a partial rotation.

To the extremity of the locking-bar oppo,

site B4 is applied a tube B3, adapted to enter recesses formed in the knob parts A5 and A6 oi the spindle. One of these recessesnamely, that designated A1-extends entirely through the knob part to allow the closed extremity oi the tube B3 to protrude when the locking-bar is in the unlocked position. (See Fig. 3.) The recess A1.3 of the knob part A6 is closed at its outer extremity to form a seat for a coil-spring E, whose opposite extremity engages the closed end oi the tube B3. By virtue of this construction the spring which is under suitable tension has a tendency to throw the locking-bar to the unlocked position and will so actuate the locking-bar when the tumblers are turned to permit this action or into such position that the recesses C are properly arranged to enter them. When it is desired to lock the device, the tubular part B3 is pressed downwardly suiiiciently to disengage the pins B from the recesses C,'whereby the extremity B4 of the locking-bar is made to engage the recess D of the spindle D, after which one or more of the tumblers is turned to bring its recess C out of line with the correspondinglyshaped pin B of the locking-bar.

Each tumbler is provided with a pair of circumferential grooves C2, into one of which projects a leaf-spring F, the said springs being attached to the member A of the hollow spindle. The adjacent springs F project in opposite directions and enter the respective circumferential grooves C2 of their respective spindles and engage the recesses C4, leading outwardly from said grooves. By reason of the adjacent springs pointing in opposite directions the adjacent tumblers must be turned in opposite directions, since the direction of the points of the springs determines the direction of movement of the tumblers, as will be readily understood, since it would be impossible, assuming that a spring-point is in one of the recesses C4, to turn the tumbler toward or against that point. lt is evident that the tumbler must be turned away, so to speak, from the point of its click-spring or must be turned in a direction toward which its click-spring points. These springs normally or temporarily hold the tumblers in the adjusted position and at the same time prevent them irom rotary movement in the wrong direction. The outer extremities of these springs engage the outer walls of the circumferential recesses C2 and engage the recesses C1, which are formed at suitable intervals in the tumbler, whereby there is a distinct click every time a recess C4 passes a spring.

Attention is called to the fact that the member A of the hollow spindle is provided with oriiices A12, corresponding in shape to the pins B of the locking-bar, whereby these pins are allowed to pass `freely through the openings A12. Indeed the outer extremities of the pins B, even when the locking-bar is in the unlocked position, engage the openings A12 of the hollow spindle member A.

The outer part or shell C5 of each tumbler is connected with the inner body portion of the tumbler by an indentation l, adapted to enter any one of a series of counterpart recesses with which the inner member 3 of the tumbler is provided. By removing the body IOO IXO

aimee portion 3 of the tumblerirom the shell C5 the part 3 may be inserted with the indentation l of the shell in a different recess 2, thus changing the relative position of the openings C oi' the respective tumblers.

lnv assembling the parts the spring E is first placed in the tube B3 of the locking-bar, aiter which the open extremity ot the said tube is dropped into the recess A13 of the knob extremity ol the spindle member A2. ln this event the body of the locking-bar is located within the recess AL of the spindle member A2. The spindle member A is then placed in position so that the closed extremity of the tube B3 enters the opening A1 and so that its openings A12 are engaged by the pins B of the locking-bar. The tumblers C are then. placed in position on the spindle, one of them abutting against a shoulder A7 oi the knob extremity of the spindle. The knob 8 is then applied to the extremity of the spindle remote Vfrom the knob parts A5 and A", whereby the tumblers are held between the two knob extremities of the spindle. The knob or wall extremities of the device are secured to the door through the instrumentality o't the posts or pedestals 7 and 8, as heretofore explained. In assembling the parts the tumblers should be so put in place that the locking-bar is in the unlocked position, so that after the knob extremity AS is applied the bolt-manipulating spindle'D may be inserted through the opening A of the knob into a registering opening in the pedestal l0, the inner' extremity of the spindle .D passing to the bolt-manipulating position. lt will be seen that by having the locking-bar in the unlocked position, as shown in Fig. 7, the spindle D may be inserted so that its recess D shall be in position to receive the locking-bar B when in the locked position. After all the parts are assembled the lockingbar may be placed in the locked position by pressing on the protruding extremity of the tube B, the latter being held in this position until one or more tumblers have been turned to bring their openings or recesses C out of register with their corresponding pins B of the locking-bar.

Il it is desired to leave the lock so that it may be unlocked in the dark, one olI the tumblers should 'only be shifted a short distance-for instance, the space-between the recesses Ct This will be known by the click of the spring F when its extremity enters the 'first recess C4. As there are six ol" these recesses in each tumbler, the o]')crator will know that when he turns this tumbler live clicks or a sutlicient distance to hear the click ol the spring E rive times the tumbler will again be in the unlocked position.. This is an important 'feature in a lock of this character.

As shown in the drawings, the diil'erent shapes ot the pins B result from applying a feather or tongue B"Z to the said pins on ditferent sides. Of course any other suitable manner of acconnilishing this object may be employed.. Attention is called to the fact that the tumblers are teml'iorarily locked in place by the outer rounded extremities oi the pins B which slightly enter the recesses C of each tumbler every time a recess is brought into register with a pin extremity, since the feathers B2 of the pins B are slightly shorter than the pins. This engagement of the outer rounded extremities oli the pins with the recesses C causes-a distinct click every time a recess C passes a pin.

From what has already been statedv it will be understood that the combination o'l` the lock may be changed by changing the relative position of the tumblers upon the spindle. This may ot course be done by removing the knob A and taking oil two or more tumblers and replacing them in diflerent relative positions. lt may also be done by Vchanging the relative position of the body 3 of a tumbler with its shell, whereby the recess C of the tumbler' shall occupy a dii'l'erent position with reference to a given letter on the shell of the tumbler.

In order to give uniformity ot appearance to the knob extremity of the spindle, the part vA5 is provided with a small milled projection 1l, formed integral with the knob part A5.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl." The combination with a bolt to be operated, of a hollow spindle having enlarged extremities provided with separated supporting pedestals, a locking bar transversely movable in the hollow spindle and provided with pins, tumblers revolubly mounted on the hollow spindle and having recesses adapted to receive the pins of the locking-b ar, and a spindle journaled in one knob and its pedestal, its inner extremity engaging the bolt' in operative relation, the bolt-operating spindle being connected with the locking-bar intermediate its extremities whereby the lastnamed spindle is locked when the locking-bar is in one position and unlocked when the said bar is in' the other position.

2. The combination with a bolt to be operated, of a hollow spindle having enlarged extremities provided with pedestals suitably mounted, the spindle being composed of two parts, one of the enlarged extremities being composed ol parts formed integral with the adjacent extremities ofthe spindle parts, one of the spindle parts being also provided withv orifices, a transversely-movable locking-bar located within the hollow spindle and having pins passing through the orilices of the said spindle part, tumblers revolubly mounted on the spindle intermediate its enlarged extremities, the tumblers having recesses adapted to receive the pins of the locking-bar when the tumblers are properly adjusted, and a bolt-manipulating spindle journaled in one IIO IIS

ISO

of the enlarged extremities of the divided spindle, the inner extremity of the bolt-operating spindle being connected in operative relation with the bolt while its opposite extremity protrudes from the enlarged extremity of the divided spindle, the bolt-operating spindle being connected intermediate its extremities witha locking-bar whereby when the latter is in one position the bolt-oper ating spindle is locked against movement, while when the locking-bar is in the other position the last-named spindle is allowed to turnto operate the bolt, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a hollow spindle having' enlarged shouldered extremities, tumblers located between the extremities of the spindle and revolubly mounted thereon, each tumbler having a number of recesses, a spring-actuated locking-bar located within the spindle and having a pin for each tumbler, the pins being adapted to enter one recess of each tumbler, each tumbler having also a circumferential groove surrounding the spindle and a number of recesses formed in the outer wall of the groove, and a number of oppositely disposed leafsprings correspending with the number of the tumblers, the said springs being attached to the spindle and protruding into the said grooves for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of a hollow spindle having enlarged shouldered extremities, tumblers located betwen the extremities of the spindle and revolubly mounted thereon, each tumbler having' a number of recesses, a spring-actuated locking-bar located within the spindle and having a pin for each tumbler, the pins being shaped to enter one recess of each tumbler, each tumbler having also a pair of circumferential grooves surrounding the spindle, and a number of recesses formed in the outer wall of each groove, the spindle being provided with a number of oppositcly-disposed leaf-springs! corresponding with the number of tumblersZ and adapted to enter one groove of each tum-- grooves of each tumbler being i bler, the two so formed that the tumblers are reversible whereby their grooves may be alternately employed to receive the springs of the spindle for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof l aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELSVORTH E. QUANTANCE. Vitnesses:

HENRY F. WOLFE, THoMAs E. RrcnARnsoN. 

